*THE SWORD OF SHANNARA*
	by Michael Jeszenka michael@jeszenka.com http://civ2.jatek.net/civ2.html

-based on the novel by Terry Brooks





		
		~If the words go off the screen, go to edit and click on "word wrap".~



BACKGROUND

Here in the readme is just information to help you play, directions, and special rules. There is history and story involved, deeply. But in this scenario you don't start out with a huge empire with many diverse units. Much of the game is a mystery and all will be revealed in time...


SCENARIO OR ROLE-PLAYING GAME?

Since it is so massive I would prefer to call it a game instead of a scenario. So many things have been changed. Almost all the rules of Civ2 have been bent and broken. This game embodies many of the characteristics of an RPG, if you are familiar with them you can see similarities. First off, there is a plot with the clearly distinguishable "good guys" and "bad guys". You start off in a small village away from everything, travel the land and complete quests, and eventually command an army in an attempt to stop the largest invasion force the world has ever seen. There are dialogues which are VERY IMPORTANT TO READ! The messages and conversations WILL NOT tell you exactly what to do, but rather hint at it. You must use your head, and the map. It can be easy to get lost and the plot guides the scenario. There are secrets, there are traps, and there are many battles. Forget all you know about Civ2 and you will be well off. Expect nothing and be on alert. Save often! If you don't like this, then I suggest you find another scenario.


MUTLIPLE FILES

To accomplish all of what was mentioned, files will need to be replaced. There are seperate folders for the files that will be replaced. Read instructions.txt for help on this matter.
Other than replacable files, there are other files that aren't normally seen in Civ2 scenario. Some of these files included characters.gif and map.gif. They are included to help you. It might be wise to keep the map open in the background while playing for easy access on directions and coordinates. The characters.gif file gives a brief description of each of your main hereos and their portrait and case you forget where they stand in all of this.


CITY IMPROVEMENTS

Not a factor that you can control here. Every city is automatically building commerce (capitalization) and that cannot be changed. Cities have all the improvements they need and for referrance just access the civolopedia. Do not sell city improvements.
Wonders play a minor role, mostly for happiness. They cannot be built or go obsolete.

Roads-
This is an important city improvement that under no circumstances should you sell. There is pollution in the scenario (renamed darkness) and Roads is a solar plant renamed. This prevents globabl warming.



RESEARCH

Technology research has been changed to "task completion". You do not start researching anything, and that will not change till later on. The only tribe that get this option are the Heroes and. I would advise you to keep the science rate on 0 at first, because the "Nothing" tech is actually future tech, which benefits you none. But in chapter 6 you are able to do research besides "Nothing" if you completed certain quests in chapter 5.


UNITS

Any unit that you get that has a name, consider them important and a hero. Not all of them appear in characters.gif because some play just a minor part. Nevertheless, try very hard not to let them die. The game will stop if Shea dies, except in part 3 (you'll find out why), it keeps going for everyone else. If they die things will be extremely difficult. I advise that everyone, early on stick together. Don't go wandering off exploring because it is useless at first. You will need Menion Leah to guide you through the woods. There is invisible units that may prevent you from going foward and only Menion can get you through it. This is simulated by using 2 civs, the nature and trigger civs. You are allied with nature so that is completely impassible, even for Menion. Impassible units owned by the Triggers will allow Menion to pass through them by attacking them.

Shea is the bearer of missile type units, which includes the Sword of Shannara and the Elfstones. The Stones move four squares and if they do not end up on Shea or a city they are destroyed. Move Shea four squares (or less) first, then move the Stones/Sword.

Spy Birds are created near cities to show you the exact location. You cannot save them from dying, there only purpose is to reveal the location of cities.

Gnomes

There are many types of gnomes you will encounter. The main body is the Gnomish legions, which are the actual army consisting of ranks. There are also Gnome Guards, which are similar to legions but on sentry duty. They just block off areas, but I wouldn't attack them! There are also Gnome Patrols, which are tiny scouting parties that are obviously a lot weaker than the mighty legions. Then there are the Gnome Hunters, which are archers, and the Gnomish cavalry.


TRIBES

Heroes/Callahorn

These are the guys you play as. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ANYONE ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


In RPGs the game is controlled and there are places that are off limits. I have done the same in this game but accomplish it through other tribes.


Triggers

This controls the towns that you travel to. They serve as blocking areas too. Units such as cliffs can be attacked by you, but I that isn't a smart thing. Moving on a cliff in this game is like falling of a clif in real life.
They also have invisible trigger units which control events.


Nature

Similar role as the triggers, but they serve as blocks that cannot be attacked due to alliances with everyone.


Skull Kingdom

Bad guys.


Elves

You'll find out where they stand.


Dwarves

You'll find out where they stand too.


Southland

The states of Man. They serve little more purpose than occupying bits of the map.

Rovers

They are Barbarians renamed. The Rovers are bands of thieves and gypsies. Originally, I did not want barbarians in this scenario, but I could not stop them from appearing. The Rovers aren't a big threat and will have strange units they really shouldn't have. Just consider anything with a red shield a bandit, and avoid dealing with them.

LEVEL-UPS

Because this is an RPG scenario, I've chagned the whole Veteran concept to level ups. So when it says you've reached level 2 that really means it is a veteran. Thus you cannot progress beyond level 2, however your characters will get better statistics later on.


DEATH

In some parts, if certain units like Shea get killed, your civilization is destroyed. You will see a nice little death ending, but after a while it will get boring. So when you see the pop-up message about that unit dying, then hit Crtl Alt Delete and exit the program, then quickly load back up.

CHAPTERS OF THE GAME

Read each part before playing that part. DON'T SPOIL THE EXPERIENCE by looking at chapters you are not at!!!

Chapter One- Brona's Return
Chapter Two- Through the Anar
Chapter Three- Trek to Paranor
Chapter Four- The Druid's Keep
Chapter Five- Scramble
Chapter Six- The Third War of the Races


DISTRIBUTION

Sorry =(
I don't want this scenario for downloading off of any website besides my own. I want people to know what they are getting when downloading this scenario, and the only way I can assure that is by having them go through my site. However, you are free to add a link to my Shannara page http://civ2.jatek.net/Shannara.html from your scenario collections.

